(Jared's POV)
18th February, 12:52 p.m.
The Old Bailey, Defendants' Antechamber…
"Gina…" I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'What on earth just happened in there?'
"Mr Naruhodo! Jared! I've managed to find out what happened!" Susato said, looking between Ryunosuke and I.
"Miss Susato!" Ryunosuke said, excitedly.
"What did you find out?" I asked, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"I was told it was an advanced form of 'smoke grenade'. A type of exploding device that releases smoke." Susato said.
"A smoke grenade? It, it sounds like the sort of thing ninjas use!" Ryunosuke said, terrified.
"They're just making sure everything is safe now. I think the trial will start again before long."
"But...who would have done something like that?"
"The police managed to catch someone who was trying to flee the courtroom, apparently."
"Flee the courtroom? Why?"
"Well, it's a young girl of around fifteen, I hear."
"A young girl? Then, could it be...? ...the other passenger that Mr McGilded was just talking about?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"My thoughts exactly!" Susato cheered. "Jared, I heard you mentioning a girl's name earlier. Was she the one you were talking about?"
"Yeah. McGilded wasn't lying." I said, sadly. "I knew about the girl."
"Oh! What's become of Mr McGilded, actually? There are so many things I need to ask him about. But he's not here!" Ryunosuke said, looking around the room.
"I think he was summoned to the prosecutor's antechamber to answer questions. Along with the young girl." Susato said, frowning.
"Who is she, I wonder? And what was she even doing here at the trial?" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'She was taking a huge risk, and for what possible benefit to herself?'
"There's another matter that's troubling me."
"What's that?"
"The 'twenty pence'."
"Hm? Oh...um…" Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"According to the coachman, Mr Beppo... ...he took four passengers that night, at a fare of fivepence each. That comes to a total of twenty pence exactly." Susato said.
"But now it seems there were in fact five passengers."
"Which means the figures don't seem to add up again."
"Er…" Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'She's right. That is strange…'
"Jared, do you know who the girl is?" Susato asked. "You did mention her name. But do you trust her?"
"Yeah." I said, looking down at the floor. "I do. But right now, she's probably wary of me."
"Counsel for the Defence! Kindly proceed into the courtroom! The trial will recommence in five minutes!" The bailiff yelled.
"Oh! Thank you, Officer. We'll go in straight away." Ryunosuke said, happily.
"Well... ...whoever she is, I imagine this young girl will be asked to take the stand and testify now. I really can't imagine what she's going to say. But it could alter the whole direction of the trial!" Susato said, worried.
"It really would!" I said, terrified. "If things don't go as I remember them."
"...We'll know soon enough, Miss Susato, Jared." Ryunosuke said.
"Yes!" Susato chirped.
18th February, 1:00 p.m.
The Old Bailey Courtroom…
"There's the young girl next to Mr McGilded, look. She must have been the one who caused the disturbance before." Ryunosuke said, looking at Gina.
"Well, after that rather eventful recess, the court will now resume the trial of Mr Magnus McGilded. Now then, Lord van Zieks…" The Judge said.
"My Lord?" Van Zieks asked.
"I believe you have established the cause of the smoke which veiled proceedings earlier?"
"It seems to have been an advanced form of 'smoke grenade', of the sort typically employed by the army."
"Good gracious! The army?! What in the devil's name...?"
"It was an elaborate attempt by a young girl to cloak her escape from the public gallery. But she was caught. ...And now occupies the stand."
"Hm... Your name, girl?" The Judge asked.
"......" Gina said.
"Are you responsible for the smoke grenade which induced such pandemonium here in my courtroom?"
"......"
"What is the meaning of this deplorable behaviour?!"
"......"
"Ahem! ...If I may, My Lord?" McGilded asked.
"Yes, Mr McGilded?" The Judge asked.
"I tink perhaps I ought to explain here. Why it is that this wee lass was here in the first place, and why she tried to bolt like that. 'Tis all tied up with the events of that night, so it is."
"Hmmm... Very well, Mr McGilded, give your testimony. You will explain to the court exactly how this young woman is involved in the case!" The Judge yelled.
"......" Van Zieks said.
"Oh, Gina." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Just what did happen that night? It's not like a defence lawyer needs that information or anything…'
Witness Testimony
- The Young Girl -
"On the night in question, I took the back seat in the omnibus and promptly nodded off. Then, begorrah, a loud thud and a wee scream woke me up with a fair start. There was a fella collapsed on the floor at me feet. So I sat him up on the seat across from me. Then I turned to find out where that scream had come from. And bless my soul, what did I find? There was a child in there, all curled up in a ball, hidin' her wee self away!" McGilded cried.
"...... I remain somewhat baffled, I confess. But from what I gather, on the night in question... ...this young girl was indeed riding in the omnibus. Is that correct?" The Judge asked.
"'Tis exactly as the defence counsel said. This lass was the fifth passenger, My Lord." McGilded said.
"Very well. The defence may now cross-examine the witness. Are you ready, Counsel?"
"Yes, My Lord!" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'Or rather, no. I have no idea where to start…'
"......" Van Zieks said.
Cross-Examination
- The Young Girl -
"On the night in question, I took the back seat in the omnibus and promptly nodded off." McGilded said.
"Press for more information here." I said, happily.
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "And when you first got onto the omnibus, were there any other passengers already on board?"
"There were not. The cabin was empty, and there was no one on the roof deck, either." McGilded said.
"You were the first passenger, as it were. I see…" The Judge said, his eyes widening.
"Aye, and that's why I took the back side as I did. 'Tis the most comfortable, so it is."
"Could you explain exactly what you mean by 'the back seat'?" Ryunosuke asked.
"By all means. 'Tis how you already described it earlier. I'm talkin' about the seat opposite the one in which the poor gentleman who was stabbed was sittin'. Like I said, 'tis the most comfortable and where I feel most at ease. And of course, I enjoy gazin' through the skylight from time to time as well." McGilded said.
"......" Van Zieks said.
"Then, begorrah, a loud thud and a wee scream woke me up with a fair start."
"You need more information here." I said, smiling.
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "A loud thud, you say? And a scream?"
"Aye, that's right. How can I explain it...? 'Twas like the sound of someone fallin' to the ground. That sort of noise." McGilded said.
"So you think it was the sound of Mr Mason falling to the floor having been stabbed?"
"Well now, you'll remember I was asleep at the time. So I wouldn't like to say. And when the sound woke me and I opened my eyes... ...there wasn't a soul to be seen in the carriage but the fella on the floor."
"Hm, you didn't see anyone... But at the same moment...you did hear a scream?"
"Ah, from the seats above you on the roof deck, I presume?" The Judge asked.
"Not above me, no, My Lord. 'Twas from inside the cabin. But I wasn't altogether tinkin' about the scream. No...I was too stunned by the desperate sight before me eyes."
"And we're back to the testimony." I said, sadly.
"There was a fella collapsed on the floor at me feet. So I sat him up on the seat across from me." McGilded said.
"Press for more information, Ryunosuke."
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "You, you sat him up?! The victim, you mean?"
"That I did. On the seat across from me, as I said. I could plainly see the poor devil was already gone. And you wouldn't leave a dead man just lyin' on the floor now, would you? 'Tis common courtesy, so it is!" McGilded said, excitedly.
"I find that a little hard to believe." Van Zieks said, scoffing.
"Ara, Lord van Zieks! Now why would that be?"
"You wake to find a man lying dead at your feet in a carriage. Any normal person would hail the cabman. Any...upstanding member of London society, that is."
"...... Well now, as you know...I'm in somethin' of a 'special' line of business."
"The business of lending money at exorbitant rates of interest?" The Judge asked.
"Unfortunately, My Lord, not everyone is tankful for the help I offer them, and some would even see me dead. So I do try, where at all possible, to avoid gettin' meself in a tangle with trouble." McGilded said.
"Are, are you suggesting you were just going to leave the man there?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Heavens alive, no! I was always intendin' to report it, so I was. Only...I had a mind to find out the whys and wherefores first."
"The whys and wherefores?"
"Right you are. There were some details I wanted to understand before...anyone else got to meddlin'. That wee scream I heard, for example. Wouldn't your good self do just the same?"
"No." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Hm, yes... The scream he says he heard at the same time as the thud of the victim collapsing…'
"Then I turned to find out where that scream had come from. And bless my soul, what did I find?" McGilded asked.
"Press for more information." I said, looking down at the floor.
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "Um...I'm afraid I don't understand. I'm sure you told the court that there was no one else in the carriage except yourself and the victim."
"So I did, sir, so I did. ...As far as I could see, that is." McGilded said.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well now, 'tis a queer ting. The wee scream I heard as I woke up... It came from - if you'll excuse the vulgar expression - under me backside!"
"Good gracious!" The Judge cried.
"Under your backside?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"And when I lifted the seat on which I'd been sitting... ...I found there was a wee cubbyhole there for storage." McGilded said.
"Mr Naruhodo! Jared! We can examine the omnibus ourselves, remember!" Susato chirped.
"...Yes, of course. The whole bus was submitted as evidence." Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"This would be a very good time to have a thorough look around inside!"
"And that's when I found her…" McGilded said.
"Let's take a look at the evidence one more time." I said, walking into the Omnibus and opening the door, before walking inside to see the bloodstain on the floor. "Still there."
"That's...blood, isn't it? ......" Ryunosuke said, looking down at the bloodstain on the floor.
"Is something wrong?" Susato asked.
"Oh, it's just... Well, this bloodstain is so obvious, that's all. And yet van Zieks has made no mention of it."
"...I suppose that does seem a little strange."
"......" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'Why do I have such a bad feeling about this...?'
"You're not the only one." I said, lifting up the handle under the seat to see the storage space. "Still big."
"This is a storage compartment, but there's nothing in here. It's totally empty. ......" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. '...Something doesn't seem right here, but I can't put my finger on what it is…'
"Come on." I said, exiting the omnibus with Ryunosuke and Susato to still see Gina there.
"There was a child in there, all curled up in a ball, hidin' her wee self away!" McGilded said, worried.
"Ask for more information."
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it "You say she was hiding herself?"
"Aye, that's right. 'Twas hard to see in the dim lamplight, but she was all curled up in a wee ball. When our eyes met, well... Me heart nearly stopped beatin' in me chest!" McGilded cried.
"Talk about bad acting." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Ugh... You're really overacting this…'
"Still an' all, I pulled her out from under there... ...and sat her on the seat opposite so I could have a wee chinwag with her."
"The seat opposite?" Ryunosuke asked.
"That's right. Just next to the dead gentleman there." McGilded said.
"You sat this young girl next to a corpse, sir?" The Judge asked.
"Well, as I'm sure I mentioned... ...a gentleman in my position can all too often find himself in mortal danger. So I needed to find out just who this urchin was, you see."
"Hm…"
"And while I was in the middle of talkin' with her, I heard another scream. A fella's voice this time."
"Presumably that scream was Mr Furst, who was sitting on the roof deck seats." Ryunosuke said.
"Right you are again, I would say, sir. Looking down through the skylight, he must've seen this young girl and the gentleman with the knife in his belly." McGilded said.
"In other words, the previous witnesses did not, in fact, see you at all, Mr McGilded. What they believed to be yourself and the victim was in fact this girl and the late Mr Mason?" The Judge asked.
"Aye, My Lord. I was, as I tink everyone understands now, sat at the back of the carriage out of sight."
"It is certainly plausible... The defendant is somewhat diminutive in stature... ...and readily confused, perhaps, with this young girl."
"After that, of course... ...with the scream from the gentleman over us, the driver realised sometin' was wrong and pulled up the horses."
"I do wonder how you must be feeling Mr Naruhodo…" Susato said, frowning.
"Being the defendant's lawyer, and yet finding myself as stunned as everyone else at his testimony? ...Let's just say it's...trying." Ryunosuke said, letting out a sigh.
"We certainly had precious little time to talk to Mr McGilded before the trial. But we mustn't be dispirited! We must just try to learn all the facts we can!" Susato said, angrily.
"I should have gone to 221B Baker Street. This case is crazy" I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Haah... When we arrived in London this morning, I didn't see my day panning out like this…'
"Mr Naruhodo! No grumbling, even in your head!"
"Yeah!" I said, angrily. "Do that after the trial, Ryunosuke!"
"Uhhh... How did you both know...?" Ryunosuke asked, looking between Susato and I.
"Thank you, I've heard enough. The events as explained are clear in my mind. However...at least one conundrum remains... Who is the girl?" The Judge asked.
"......" Gina said.
"Her name is Gina Lestrade, My Lord. She's a chancer. Earns her crust among large crowds, relievin' people of their purses. What's commonly called a pickpocket." McGilded said.
"What?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"This girl here?! A petty thief? Ordaaar! Ordaaaaaar!!! Is this true...Miss Lestrade?" The Judge asked.
"......" Gina said.
"Miss Lestrade! You will answer the question!" The Judge said, getting hit with a grenade. "ARRRGH! How dare you?! What is the meaning of this?! Ah! The girl! She's gone!"
"Open yer eyes!" Gina yelled. "I'm over 'ere."
"Good gracious! How...?"
"Gina…" I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'What was the point in that little sidestep...?'
"I know wot you lot are thinkin'! Grown-ups are all the same! 'This dirty little dipper,' you'll say, 'slipped up an' got caught on the job. She got 'erself backed into a corner, so she knifed the gent!' Go on! That's wot's in yer 'eads, ain't it?" Gina asked.
"No, not at all! This is a court of law. We're here to determine the truth, not cast- ......" Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"Look, knives are for cowards. Only thugs use weapons like that. All I need for wot I do is these fingers. I'm a professional, alright? Maybe not in your eyes, but I got pride in wot I do!"
"Let me guess? You don't count smoke guns among 'weapons for thugs'?"
"Oh, this?" Gina asked, holding up her grenade launcher. "Yeah, this was in a bag I lifted the other day, down where they keep the four-wheeled drags. It's nice, innit? I like the pink best."
"Agh! Do not wave that thing in my direction again!" The Judge yelled.
"So... ...you admit that you were riding the omnibus on the night in question?" Van Zieks asked.
"......" Gina said.
"...'Tis alright, lass. You can tell them the truth now." McGilded said, happily.
"...... Alright, yeah... It's just like the Irishman said…"
"The court accepts this girl, Miss Gina Lestrade, as a valid and significant witness in this case. Accordingly, young lady, we will now hear your testimony, if you please." The Judge said.
"......" Gina said.
"You will tell the court exactly what happened in the omnibus on the night in question."
"...Alright...if I 'ave to…"
Witness Testimony
- What the Girl Saw -
"So I snuck inside the carriage before they 'ooked up the 'orses, just like always. But it was a right old waste o' time. I got nuffin' to show for me troubles that night. I'll tell ya, you can't see a blind thing in that hidin' place. It's pitch in there. Then after a while, I 'ear this loud bang. Nearly jumped out me skin, I did. An' the scream just...came out. It's because o' that, this swell found me. ...'E did 'elp me get away, mind." Gina said.
"Yes, he let you go…" Ryunosuke said, letting out a sigh.
"I fail to understand why you would let this street urchin go, Mr McGilded." The Judge said.
"Oh, 'tis simplicity itself, My Lord. You see, she couldn't possibly have killed the other passenger. I knew that for a fact." McGilded said.
"How?" Ryunosuke asked.
"As I'm sure I said before, sir... ...I was sittin' right on top o' the place where she was hidin' herself."
"I think a demonstration is called for." The Judge said.
"...This is where I was sat that night." McGilded said, walking up to the place on the omnibus and pointed to where he sat.
"And the 'cubbyhole' of which you have spoken is underneath this seat, I presume? Hm, yes... It does appear just large enough to accommodate someone of the girl's stature."
"Aye, but of course, the wee lass was stuck in there. Because I'd parked meself on the seat for the duration." McGilded said, exiting the omnibus.
"Ah!"
"So you see, that's why I let the lass bolt. I knew that if the police found her there, they'd automatically assume she'd done it. But I couldn't live with meself if a young life was ruined when all the time I knew she was innocent."
"Even though you must have realised your action would result in your own innocence being called into question?"
"Not at all, My Lord, not at all!"
"...!" Juror said, at a loss for words.
"I knew in my own heart that I was innocent. So I thought it was worth takin' a punt on my own good name for the sake of this less fortunate lass." McGilded said.
"My goodness!" Juror No. 2 said.
"What a perfect gentleman!" Juror No. 6 said.
"...My Lord! This...this fine example of a man cannot possibly be guilty of a heinous crime like this. I'm ashamed of myself for ever doubting you, sir!" Juror No. 1 said.
"With calm, calculated reasoning, one arrives clearly at the truth every time." Juror No. 4 said.
The last two jury members, Jurors 1 and 4 casted their vote of Not Guilty.
"Saints alive! All six members of the jury consensual in their leaning to a verdict of not guilty?!" The Judge exclaimed.
"Mr Naruhodo! Jared! This... Well, it must mean…" Susato said, in awe.
"It must mean what?" Ryunosuke asked.
"That we're victorious!"
"...... We've...won? Are, are you sure?"
"Yeah, we won." I said, happily. "For now."
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "...If the sight of my iron-heeled Wellington offends... pray, do forgive the discourtesy. This really is a consummate example... ...of the one, monumental flaw in British judicial practices."
"...!" Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"Where evidence and reasoning should be paramount... emotion rules the day."
"Emotion?"
"The witness's latest statement gives us a clear insight into his true nature."
"What do you mean, 'his true nature'?"
"Do you really think Scotland Yard would have made such a glaring omission? After the incident, the omnibus was comprehensively searched by officers of the police. Obviously the interior of this 'cubbyhole', as the witness put it, was included in their investigation."
"...!"
"'The compartment under the posterior seat was full of the coachman's belongings.' It's noted in black and white here in the police report." Van Zieks said, taking out a scroll and looking at it.
"Good Lord!" The Judge said, terrified.
"...The evidence has been tampered with. In order to corroborate Mr McGilded's story...someone has unlawfully removed everything from under the seat!" Van Zieks said, angrily.
"WHAAAAAAAAAT?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"Ordaaar! Orrrdaaar! How could such a devious contrivance possibly have been effected, Counsel?" The Judge asked.
"...Naturally, we must acknowledge the deficiencies of the constabulary in allowing this to have happened. However, I assure you, when the omnibus was wheeled into the courtroom this morning... ...the compartment under the seat was not empty. ...Well, my Nipponese friend?" Van Zieks asked.
"Hm? ...Me?" Ryunosuke asked.
"When the carriage was submitted as evidence... ...doubtless you examined it in fine detail, as would any self-respecting practitioner of the law. Pray, what did you find the condition of the under-seat compartment to be?"
"...!"
"Oh, to be sure. The young gentleman will be able to clear this up in a jiffy." McGilded said, smirking.
"Sorry?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Go ahead. You tell the court now, fella... ...how this is all an elaborate excuse by the desperate Lord van Zieks!"
"......"
"Well, Counsel? Do you have something to say on this matter?" The Judge asked.
"......" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. '...How am I supposed to answer? What can I say about the state of that little compartment under the seat in the omnibus?'
"Say it wasn't empty." I said, smiling. "It's the only thing I can think of. Or remember."
'I really don't know if giving this answer is helping my cause as counsel for the defence... But as far as I remember at least…' Ryunosuke said, thinking that to himself, before speaking aloud. "When I first examined the compartment... ...I'm fairly certain there were a number of articles inside it, yes."
"Are, are you sure, Counsel?" The Judge asked.
"Ara, be whist! What are you saying now, you daft daw?! I thought you were on my side here?" McGilded asked.
"...! What game are you playing? Your task is to defend the man in the stand. Why would you say something to compromise his position?" Van Zieks asked.
"...... ...As the advocate for the defence in this trial... ...I confess I'm still not entirely sure where I stand. But it seems to me... ...that I should state what facts I do know as clearly and honestly as possible." Ryunosuke said.
"...... Interesting."
"...'Tis not altogether pleasin', fella." McGilded said.
"I'm simply telling the truth, Mr McGilded." Ryunosuke said.
"Well, don't forget that yer supposed to be representin' my best interests here, lad. Now, then... A fella's memory is a curious ting, and not altogether reliable. No, the court must consider the facts. That there cubbyhole under the seat is as empty as the devil's heart, so it is! D'you think perhaps it would be...in your best interests now to admit that you might have been mistaken?"
"......" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'Why...? Why do I feel like something's not right here…'
"Hmmm... I should like the jury to weigh in on this matter, I think." The Judge said.
"...... That compartment is designed to house equipment used to maintain the smooth running of the carriage. The guild's rules state that omnibuses should be properly and fully equipped at all times. So it certainly wouldn't have been empty on the night in question. ...Beppo isn't that irresponsible. That money-lending fleecer and the pickpurse are lying!" Juror No. 5 said, angrily.
"Ah!" Ryunosuke said.
"I can't believe I was nearly taken in. The stinking rich are always stinkers. Nothing but cowards, the lot of them!" Juror No. 3 yelled.
"What?" Ryunosuke asked, and he thought this to himself. 'Oh no…'
"Crap." I said, looking down at the floor. "This is bad."
"It's a trick! Of course it's a trick!" Juror No. 3 cried.
"...Quite so. I must concur here. With calm, calculated reasoning, one arrives clearly at the truth every time." Juror No. 4 said.
Jurors No. 3 and 4 casted their vote for guilty.
"If only this was early 21st century America. Dealing with a jury is annoying." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Yes, but every time a different truth, it seems…'
"My Lord, I humbly exhibit the Scales of Justice... Clearly, a verdict of not guilty at this time would be wholly inappropriate." Van Zieks said.
"Thank you, Counsel. But before we proceed any further, there is the matter of the outstanding cross-examination." The Judge said.
"......" Ryunosuke said.
"Counsel for the Defence, begin your questioning of the witness, please."
"Yes, My Lord." Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. '...What just happened? The whole balance of the trial just shifted almost beyond recognition! ...The 'Reaper of the Bailey' is at work, it would seem…'
"......" Van Zieks said.
Cross-Examination
- What the Girl Saw -
"So I snuck inside the carriage before they 'ooked up the 'orses, just like always." Gina said. "But it was a right old waste o' time. I got nuffin' to show for me troubles that night."
"Those two statements seem normal." I said, clutching the strap of my sling bag.
"I'll tell ya, you can't see a blind thing in that hidin' place. It's pitch in there." Gina said.
"That one feels off." I said, looking up at Gina. "Press here, Ryunosuke."
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "So you couldn't see out into the cabin at all?"
"Not a jot. Most days I push the cushion up wiv me 'ead an' look out the crack. Then I can 'ave a butcher's at who I'm gonna fiddle." Gina said.
"I thought you were a pickpocket, not a butcher…"
"I mean, I can 'ave a look. The seat I get under ain't as plush as the other one, see. So most o' the time, the passengers plant 'emselves opposite. But for some reason that night, this 'ere Irishman spent the whole journey right over me 'ead!"
"And for that reason, you weren't able to push the cushion up to peek out. I see…"
"Truth is... ...I ain't too 'appy in small, dark places. Feels too much like bein' thrown in the clink. But it's the only place to 'ide in them carriages, so it's 'Obson's choice."
"Magnus McGilded." I said, looking over at Magnus McGilded. "He wants to say something."
"'Scuse me!" Ryunosuke yelled, looking at McGilded. "...Is something wrong, Mr McGilded?"
"Oh! I do apologise. Was there sometin' the matter, Counsel?" McGilded asked.
"I'm just wondering if Miss Lestrade's last comment made something occur to you, perhaps? You seemed to be thinking something to yourself." Ryunosuke said.
"Oh, no no. 'Twas nuttin' important. I was feelin' bad for the poor lass, is all. I remember feelin' desperate meself as a young lad, shut up in the dark. 'Twas terrifying, so it was."
"I see. Yes, I'm sure we can all sympathise." Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'I'm still scared of the dark now…'
"Aye. And I don't know about yeself... ...but I find that the darkness seems to make everytin' you hear seem that much louder as well." McGilded said.
"...... Yeah... I, I s'pose it does...maybe." Gina said, sadly.
"...! Miss Lestrade! Did you hear something that night? Anything? An unusual noise, perhaps?" Ryunosuke asked.
"...... Nah. Not really. All I could 'ear was the Irishman snorin'."
"Bejabers! There's no need to tell the whole world of me foibles, ye little scamp!" McGilded said, angrily.
"What a pity... If only Miss Lestrade had heard something, it might have given us a vital new clue." Susato said, frowning.
"Yes…" Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'What should we make of that last statement of hers?'
"Well, it's super important, Ryunosuke." I said, taking out some Pocky to snack on them. "We need it."
"My Lord! I believe the statement just made by the witness is profoundly important!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"Profoundly important?! But, but all she said... ...was that she heard nothing!" The Judge said, worried.
"Yes! Which is the profoundly important point! I'm almost sure of it!"
"...Hm, I'm almost sure that I don't understand the inner workings of your Eastern mind, Counsel. Nevertheless... Miss Gina Lestrade! You will supplement your formal testimony by repeating that last statement, please."
"Wot? Supperment? Wot are you on about? Don't gimme all your fancy talk! I know wot yer tryin' to do! Well it won't work on me!" Gina said, scoffing.
"Good going, Gina." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'That's right, insult the judge. Always a good move…'
"Jared, you seem like you trust her." Susato said, while she looked over at me.
"That's because I do." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Why doesn't she just stick to picking people's pockets in the open, then? I'd say there's some reason that she's not letting on, judging from her demeanour.'
"So anyways, I was a bit scared, but I 'ad to just stick it out under there. Nuffin' else for it." Gina said. "I was strainin' me ears to work out wot was goin' on, but all I could 'ear was snorin'. Then after a while, I 'ear this loud bang. Nearly jumped out me skin, I did. An' the scream just...came out."
"Those statements feel normal." I said, sadly.
"It's because o' that, this swell found me. ...'E did 'elp me get away, mind." Gina said, smiling.
"Now that one feels off."
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "And when Mr McGilded discovered you, he pulled you out from your hiding place?"
"I was scared stiff, I was. 'E dragged me out and sat me down on the seat an' all." Gina said.
"Next to the victim, Mr Mason?"
"Yeah... The bloke 'ad a knife in 'is guts. 'E was...still bleedin'. Then the carriage lurched a bit, and 'e ended up fallin' onto me."
"Ugh... How awful…" Susato said, disgusted.
"It really is horrible." I said, munching on a Pocky. "Especially for a teen to experience."
"Both me 'ands got covered in blood. It made me feel sick as a dog." Gina said.
'Both her hands covered in blood... That must be what the rooftop passengers saw.' Gina said, thinking that to himself, before speaking aloud. "After that, I believe you talked with Mr McGilded for a while. Is that correct?"
"...'E asked me some stuff. Wanted to know me name an' wot I was up to an' that. Then I 'eard somefin' from up above. Someone screamed." Gina said.
"Yes, Mr Furst on the roof deck, one would presume." The Judge said, his eyes widening.
"Well I didn't want no one seein' me face, so I didn't look up. Then the 'orses were drawn up smartish and this 'ere Irishman says to me: 'Get back under the seat. I'll see that you can get away later.'"
"Hm…"
"All six members of the jury had decided the defendant was innocent." Susato said, frowning.
"For one brief shining moment, yes…" Ryunosuke said, letting out a sigh.
"It's clear that they are all still very unsure. If we could just find some conclusive piece of evidence among this new testimony... ...I'm sure we would clinch the verdict we want!"
"Yes, I think you're right." Ryunosuke said, as he thought this to himself. 'And I have this niggling feeling... Something's bothering me...but I just can't quite put my finger on it.'
"She could have heard 'Thrice-Fired' Mason." I said, munching on a Pocky stick.
"'Thrice-Fired' Mason...?" The Judge asked.
"Yes, My Lord. The sound that Miss Lestrade cannot have failed to hear... ...is that of the victim, Mr Mason, boarding the omnibus!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"Ordaaar! Ordaaar! Explain your reasoning, Counsel!" The Judge said, angrily.
"Miss Lestrade, allow me to confirm something. You claimed earlier that you were the first person on board the omnibus. Is that correct?"
"Yeah, 'course I was! I got on while the driver was in the pub, didn't I?" Gina asked.
"And...the next person to board the omnibus was Mr McGilded?" Ryunosuke asked.
"That it was. Not a soul was in the cabin when I climbed aboard. ...At least, not in plain sight." McGilded said.
"So you were, to all intents and purposes, alone in the enclosed cabin of the omnibus at that time?"
"Did I not just say as much? I wasn't travellin' with anyone else, if that's what you mean."
"Yeah, I saw 'im get on, remember? Through the crack under the seat cushion. 'E was on 'is own for sure." Gina said.
"And, from what we've heard, the carriage made a number of stops after that on its onward journey. ...During which time, did you not hear the door opening or closing at all?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Nah, I never 'eard it. That's exactly wot I was listenin' for, weren't it? Waitin' for this swell to leave."
"In which case... ...when and how did the victim end up in the carriage?"
"Ah!" The Judge said, at a loss for words.
"We know that the victim collapsed inside the enclosed cabin of the omnibus. Therefore... ...Miss Lestrade's statement about what she did - or did not - hear...is at odds with the facts!" Ryunosuke yelled.
"Ah!" Gina said, worried.
"Yes. This petty thief's statement was clearly flawed." Van Zieks said.
"Lord van Zieks!" The Judge said, terrified.
"Gina…" I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Yes... He knew. He knew all too well that there was an inconsistency in Miss Lestrade's statement.'
"Keh...heh...heh... It would seem words of thanks are in order for my learned friend." Van Zieks said.
"What are you talking about?" Ryunosuke asked.
"You have demonstrated matters impeccably. This witness, and her...colourful statements... ...are entirely unreliable! Her words are convenient untruths, nothing more!"
"He's dead right…"
"How could the victim possibly not have boarded the omnibus? That makes no sense whatsoever…"
"And this girl is a pickpocket. Let's not forget that."
"Agh!" Ryunosuke said, and he thought this to himself. 'She, she didn't even say anything!'
"I didn't want to judge the dear little mite just because she has some rather naughty ways. But I must say... ...I can't abide liars." Juror No. 6 said.
"And neither can I!" Juror No 1. yelled.
"M-Mr Foreman!" Ryunosuke cried.
"I didn't want to judge the girl just because she has some less than salubrious ways. But I must say... ...I cannot abide liars."
Jurors No. 1 and 6 casted ther vote for guilty.
"Argh!" Ryunosuke said, annoyed.
"Mr Naruhodo! Jared! That's five jury members leaning towards guilty!" Susato said, looking between Ryunosuke and I.
"We know." I said, letting out a lot of tears. "I hate this, I really do."
"...Well, your consideration for others is...refreshing, my Nipponese friend. To the considerable troubles you have spared me! ...Yes, very refreshing." Van Zieks said.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Ryunosuke said, breaking down.
"GAAAAAARGH! What are ye playin' at?! Have ye forgotten who you're workin' for, ye useless Eastern amadan!" McGilded said, worried.
"...This is carnage! It's perfect!" Juror No. 3 chirped.
"Only one left." I said, while Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Juror number two is the only one left…'
"Mr Naruhodo! Jared! The way this is going…" Susato said, letting out a sigh.
"What would Phoenix Wright do?" I asked, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'I know. If we can't find some new way to convince everyone of Mr McGilded's innocence... ...the judge will rule and we'll have lost!'
"I very much wanted to believe the words of one of London's most respected gentlemen. But... ...those of us in service know we must accept hard truths." Juror No. 2 said.
"Hold it." Ryunosuke said, doing the Hold it pose. "Yes, the witness's last statement seems to have revealed a critical inconsistency in her story. However! If we consider the possibility that her statement is in fact the truth... ...it may shed an entirely new light on this whole case!"
"What are you saying?" Van Zieks asked.
"...!" Gina said, speechless.
"Counseeel!" McGilded said.
"I'm...sorry, sir? Whatever do you mean?" Juror No. 2 asked.
"Counsel, I will not tolerate you attempting to prorogue my adjudication! Explain yourself at once!" The Judge yelled.
"...!" Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"When the accused boarded the omnibus on the night in question, the victim was nowhere to be seen. Subsequently... ...the carriage door was not heard opening a single time, as testified by the witness in the stand." Van Zieks said.
"And yet the victim's body was found inside the carriage." The Judge said.
"IF this petty thief's words are to be believed... ...how do you explain the victim's miraculous appearance inside the cabin of the omnibus?"
"...... There's only one way to explain how the victim came to be inside the carriage…" Ryunosuke said.
"There's another entrance somewhere." I said, happily. "Somewhere obvious."
"Jared's right. If the door wasn't opened even once... ...the only explanation is that the victim...entered the enclosed cabin some other way!"
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "...I wondered what new fantasy you would come up with in your blind panic. But behold! The omnibus is here for all to see. Only one side of the enclosed cabin is furnished with a door. The other has only windows. Fixed windows, which cannot possibly open. In short... ...there is no entrance to the cabin other than the door!"
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "But there could be! There's one possibility you haven't considered."
"Oh really?" Van Zieks asked.
"Yes. One other way inside that isn't the door. Another opening, the use of which allowed the victim to 'appear' inside the enclosed cabin!" Ryunosuke said.
"...!"
"...!" McGilded said.
"...!" Gina said.
"Alright, Counsel. The defence will identify the location for the court. Here is the omnibus on which the incident occurred. Where on earth is this 'entrance' by which you propose the victim entered the cabin?" The Judge asked.
"If this is like back home, it could be the skylight." I said, smiling. "That's the only way."
"Take that!" Ryunosuke said, presenting the skylight. "The answer is obvious! It can only have been the skylight!"
"I say! The skylight?" The Judge asked.
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "Your ludicrous proposal almost has me lost for words. However-"
"Objection." Ryunosuke said, doing the Objection pose. "The skylight may well be large enough for someone to pass through!"
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "So you claim! But do you have a shred of evidence to support your addle-brained theory?"
"...... Both Mr McGilded and Miss Lestrade said the same in their testimonies... They each claim to have heard a loud thud, such as the noise made by someone falling to the floor." Ryunosuke said.
"Yes, which has already been explained... ...as the sound of the victim falling from his seat having been assaulted with the dagger." The Judge said.
"Yes, it has. But! Would a man slipping from the seat onto the floor really have made such a loud noise as the witnesses describe? A noise loud enough to cause Miss Lestrade let out an involuntary cry, in fact…"
"Good, good gracious!"
"Perhaps in fact... ...that was the moment that the victim made his entrance into the cabin. No, let me rephrase that: The victim didn't enter the cabin as such... He fell into it!"
"Objection." Van Zieks said, doing the Objection pose. "You're now suggesting...that the victim fell from the skylight into the cabin? That's simply impossible!"
"How can you be so sure?" Ryunosuke asked.
"Because if the victim had fallen inside through the skylight as you say... ...the passengers on the roof deck would have seen it happen. And yet...not one person made mention of such events in their testimony." Van Zieks said.
"Well, um... Yes...that's true, but…"
"Hold it." McGilded said, doing the Hold it pose. "Might a humble fella...make a wee comment here?"
"Mr, Mr McGilded?!" Ryunosuke exclaimed.
"...To be sure now, the two fellas who were sat on the roof that testified afore... ...said nuttin' of the victim fallin' through the skylight. But...it seems to me, My Lord, that 'tis not so much a case of them not sayin', but... ...Aye... ...'tis a case of them bein' unable to say." McGilded said.
"Wha...?"
"I tink perhaps the two fellas... ...do be havin' sometin' of a compellin' reason not to mention what happened. Would youse not agree...fine ladies and gentlemen of the jury?"
"Hmmmmmmph!" Juror No. 1 said, annoyed.
"Oh my...my goodness! Surely not…" Juror No. 2 said.
"Those two chaps on the roof...?" Juror No. 3 asked.
"You mean, the ones who stuck that knife in the man were...?" Juror No. 5 asked.
"Aaaaaagh!" Juror No. 6 yelled.
"Hold it." Fairplay said, doing the Hold it pose. "Just what exactly are you insinuating here, you...you blitherer?!"
"You rotter, he said! You rotter! What are you insinuating?" Furst asked.
"This is a flaming outrage! I've a good mind to give you a blinker in a minute!"
"He'll give you a shiner in a minute, he said! And so will I!"
"Mr Fairplay!" Ryunosuke said, worried.
"You're effectively accusing me - a city gentleman and well-respected banker!" Fairplay said, angrily.
"And me! A, a very angry hatter!" Furst yelled.
"Suggesting that someone like me could have stabbed that man in the guts, it's...it's... It's a disgrace! It's scandalous! It's...ARGH! I protest! I protest in the strongest possible terms!"
"That's right! I protest, too! About you, you rotten scoundrel!"
"Ordaaar! Ordaaar! Ordaaaaaar!!! This is not the time, witnesses! I will not permit this wanton invasion of the stand! Return to the anteroom at once!" The Judge said, worried.
"But, but this is beyond reason, My Lord! Argh! It's outrageous!" Fairplay said.
"It's, it's very hurtful, you know!" Furst said.
"My Lord, if I may comment?" Van Zieks asked.
"Go ahead, Lord van Zieks." The Judge said.
"It was the defence that incited this outburst from the witnesses. My learned friend has seen fit to abandon all protocol and accuse the witnesses without proof."
"A-Accuse? I, I never intended to…" Ryunosuke said, sadly.
"...It seems, young Nipponese, that your command of the English tongue is wanting." Van Zieks said.
"...!"
"You proposed to this court that the victim fell through the skylight from the roof deck of the omnibus. That hypothesis cannot possibly stand without the rooftop passengers being aware of the events. You have branded these gentlemen liars! You have intimated their criminal guilt! In our British courts of law, that is what is termed a baseless accusation!"
"...!" Ryunosuke said, while he thought this to himself. 'I know I was rash to put this idea forward without any actual evidence, but... ...you can't just dismiss it without a second thought!'
"What are we wasting time for? Get them to - Hnurgh! - testify!" Juror No. 3 said.
"...!"
"I thought there was something fishy about that hat from the moment I laid eyes on the fellow!" Juror No. 1 said.
"We have to see this matter through now. One way or another!" Juror No. 5 said.
"If there's filth and rubbish in our midst, we must dispose of it at once!" Juror No. 2 said.
"Tes-ti-fy! Tes-ti-fy! Tes-ti-fy!" The gallery yelled.
"What's...what's happening, Mr Naruhodo?" Susato asked.
"The spectators in the public gallery are... They're in a complete frenzy!" Ryunosuke said, at a loss for words.
"Wow." I said, smirking. "That's…wow."
"Mr Fairplay and Mr Furst…" The Judge said, looking between Fairplay and Furst.
"Um...My Lord...?" Fairplay asked.
"You... You will take the stand again and make another formal testimony... ...in reference to the indictment brought by the defence!"
"Um... Y-Yes...My Lord…"
"I, I didn't come here for this…" Furst said, letting out a sigh.
"......" McGilded said.
"Good luck, Ryunosuke." I said, and Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'There's no time to think this through. All I can do...is keeping … pushing forward!'
Witness Testimony
- Refuting the Accusation -
"We were the only two people up on that roof deck, dead or alive! ...I can swear to that!" Fairplay yelled.
"If anything had happened where we were sitting, don't you think one or the other of us would have noticed?" Furst asked.
"In any case, neither of us know the first thing about the victim. We had no reason to kill the man!"
"The skylight was shut the entire time, I tell you! We couldn't possibly have opened it!"
"If you're so sure the victim fell through the skylight, where's your proof?"
"Hm... I must say that on listening to this testimony, it is somewhat hard to imagine... ...how either witness could have performed any malevolent act on this open rooftop deck... ...without the other noticing forthwith." The Judge said.
"That's right, you see!" Fairplay cried.
"We're innocent, I tell you!" Furst said, worried.
"...Although logically, of course, the argument falls down if the two of you were in collusion with one another." Juror No. 4 said, looking between Fairplay and Furst.
"What?!" Fairplay exclaimed.
"Eh?!" Furst exclaimed.
"According to investigations by Scotland Yard... ...the two witnesses share no common dealings." Van Zieks said.
"Hah! Well I don't trust coppers any more than I trust the stinking rich!" Juror No. 3 said, angrily.
"I really want this to end." I said, as Ryunosuke thought this to himself. 'Something doesn't feel right here... The trial is going in our favour, really. So why do I feel so uneasy...?'
"Counsel for the Defence, over to you. Your cross-examination, please." The Judge said.
"Oh! Yes...My Lord!" Ryunosuke chirped.